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LTLL Reps for St. John's Cobar - Laura Ryan and Benetta Townsend
26.8.10 Our School target branches from FOCUS 6 from the LTLL PD day: Authentic Learning ASSESSMENT for and as learning. St. John’s School COBAR staff would like to develop an effective, purposeful and authentic assessment process across the school. - After discussions at our recent staff meeting (25.8.10), it was decided that Assessment is such a broad area and we needed to break down Assessment to a more specific, manageable and achievable target (quality rather than quantity). The staff decided on the following target: Our Target: Using Assessment data to shape teaching and learning in Mathematics (starting with Number) It was discussed that once we further refine our existing Assessment practices and develop a St. John's Assessment Framework, we should then be able to apply this Assessment Framework to other Key Learning Areas. This framework will provide the data to shape teaching and learning by tracking student achievement and growth.Please refer to the attached document...
As a part of our assessment focus we would also like to have a K-6 assessment tracking system.
In what ways can assessment be used to inform teaching and learning?
Image from: http://k6.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/index.cfm?objectId=568B8DEC-FA89-0457-233DA32D2EDD4A8D Congrats Laura and Benetta and all at Cobar!!! How exciting your project looks! We are looking forward to hearing and seeing more about your Journey and successes in the future! Jane 26/8/10 - At the end of Term 3 we discussed at a staff meeting what Assessment data was important to be passed on for each student to next years teacher. We decided what data needed to be passed on. We have now created Assessment boxes for each year level with a checklist of required Assessment pieces and a file for each student to be accumulated for Assessment tracking from K-6. This Assessment box will be passed onto the next years teacher. We also sourced a filing cabinent for the release room and have added a file for each student. Each year the information in the boxes will need to be transferred to the filing cabinent (so the current years data is the only information kept in the Assessment boxes by each class teacher). This process will assist in tracking each students progress from K-6.
- In consultation with our Principal and LST we have devised a coding system to use in our programs in order to track when Assessment is taking place and when particular Assessment results are driving our teaching and learning experiences. As a staff, we are trialling these codes in our Number strand of Mathematics when we are programming. Please see attached document for Assessment codes.
- After reading an article at our last staff meeting titled 'Improving the instructional core at Mentone Grammar' written by Mal Cater(Education Today Term 3 2010 p. 26 & 27) we are exploring the possibility of collegial support in terms of classroom visits. It was discussed that class teachers may have the opportunity to view and discuss programs (in terms of the coding system). They may also have the opportunity to observe a collegue teaching a Mathematics lesson and provide feedback on teaching practices and programming with the use of Assessment codes.
- As discussed at our last staff meeting (Wednesday Week 4 Term 4 '10) the next step for our LTLL Target: Using Assessment data to shape teaching and learning in Mathematics (starting with Number) is to begin looking at rubrics for Assessment in Mathematics (Number) to assist in giving grades for reports.
WATCH THIS SPACE for further information!
At our last staff meeting (Wednesday Week 5, Term 4 2010) we looked at information from the ARC website in regards to assessing and reporting as stage learning. We Looked at graded work samples for Number for each stage, and how to compare the same work sample for students in different years but the same stage. We also looked at some Number rubrics from other schools for the end of each grade.
LTLL Teachers met with classroom teachers, one on one, on Thursday Wk 5, to reflect on the process of using the assessment codes to shape our teaching and learning. We discussed: Where is it evident in your program? Do you need assistance? How has this process assisted in shaping teaching and learning? Has it had an impact on honing in on teaching skills more specific to student needs? Has it impacted on student growth? How have you measured this? What were the results? Did this data assist you to set future targets?
Wednesday Week 10 Term 4 2010 - Last Staff Meeting, we ... * Looked at options for a tracking sheet K-6 for each student to be kept in Assessment Boxes * Dicussed that we would use Assessment codes in ALL of Mathematics during Term 1 (not just Number) and for Writing also * Discussed the 'Next Step' of keeping parents informed about student progress (school survey pinpointed this as a 'Red Light' for parents).
2011...
- Another 'Red Light' issue has been raised from a school survey. Parents have expressed the need for teachers to keep them informed more often than just at report time. As a staff we have discussed looking at other ways of reporting to parents regarding student progress. We are working on a simple way/format to keep parents informed.
- We also discussed the need for 3-Way Interviews, involving the students in the reporting process. We decided to involve the students in the social 'Meet & Greet' Interviews at the start of Term 1. We came up with the idea to link this opportunity to student targets. The idea is for students to present a target they wish to work on for Term 1.
Watch this space for an update on our 3-Way Interviews!!!
Our 3 WayInterviews were a success! We invited parents and children to our annual Meet and Greet Meetings. The child was able to present an academic target they want to achieve during Term 1 to their parents. Parents had the opportunity to hilight their child's strengths and areas for improvement.
Feedback from parents, students and staff was very positive! We are now evaluating this process and deciding as a staff how to proceed in future with 3-Way Interviews.
MID POINT MEETING - Cluster LTLL Day Thursday 17.3.11
The LTLL Cluster Meeting was a huge success. It was great to catch up with other schools and see what they were doing. There were so many different and exciting LTLL directions presented by other schools in our cluster. It gave us lots to think about! Thank you to everyone who contributed suggestions for improvement on the day :o) ... Here is our Mid - Point Meeting PowerPoint Presentation...
FANTASTIC NEWS ABOUT THE THREE WAY INTERVIEWS - AND THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK ON THE MID-POINT SESSION. THERE WAS CERTAINLY SOME GREAT SHARING! MICK
13.5.11- As a staff, we have finally decided on a Tracking Sheet to track student results from K-6. The final copy has been photocopied for every student and teachers will be advised of the expectations of their use.
Benetta and Laura have created as Assessment Package for all staff members. It contains information such as the school's Assessment Policy, St John's Assessment Codes and information from ARC Website about A-E reporting. These will be presented at the next staff meeting.
More work has been done in refining our process of creating student targets. Performa's have been designed for students to create their targets as well as congratulating them when they have achieved their targets. We have created other ways of encouraging students to work towards their targets such as being presented at assembly, names mentioned in the Newsletter and a big notice on the noticeboard. In the past couple of weeks we have also...
* Reviewed as a staff our Assessment process (AFL - Assessment FOR Learning and AOL - Assessment OF Learning) to ensure teachers are using their Assessment FOR Learning to DRIVE teaching and learning activities. Assessment OF Learning will be used to report to parents this term.
* Conducted a 'refresher' session about Reporting A-E. We presented to the staff a PowerPoint Presentation about Reporting (courtesy of the CEO) and viewed the ARC website.
Wonderful work Cobar, you really are developing a fabulous plan. We look forward to seeing your plan posted soon. Simone Harding 8th June, 2011
Our 'work in progress' Action Plan for Semester 2 2011.....
Hi Cobar..Congratulations on your enthusiastic and informative final presentation this week!The following is the summary of the affirmations and generative questions given to you on the day.
Affirmations
The assessment packages are a great idea
Learning Journeys are a good idea
Students were great at explaining their learning
Love the focus on informal feedback eg Happy Notes
Very strategic
Generative Questions
What are the logistics behind the 3 way interviews?
What is the structure of the Learning Journey?
How time consuming is the learning Journey?
Why did you decide on those particular tracking tools?
How do you monitor consistency?
St John's had an excellent day at our final LTLL presentations. It was fantastic hearing the wonderful ideas presented by the other schools. Well done to everyone and thank you to the schools who we have been able to adopt ideas from.
Below is our final presentation, which also outlines 'Where to Next' ...
We have updated all Assessment Boxes and Filing Cabinent for current student Assessment. We are working towards getting Assessment Boxes ready to be passed onto 2012 Class Teachers.
We have met with class teachers to discuss how Assessment is driving teaching and learning. Staff had the opportunity to provide feedback about the Assessment Process.
We are also working towards creating some Maths Assessment Tasks for the Active Expressions to be used in 2012.
Well, this is going to be the last post from us, as the first Lead Teachers of St Johns. It has been a very affirming and positive experience, leading our school on this journey to improve assessment in all aspects. Looking back we have achieved many things and we believe all key steakholders of our school community have benefited in some way during the process. It has shaped our teaching and learning and made for more effective pedagodgy.
We are about to update all the assessment boxes and our new Student Tracking Sheets with end of year assessments and data. So we will be able to determine the success of these little projects in these final weeks and the begining weeks of next year. Attached below is our 'Log Sheet' where all our hard work is documented.
We look forward to next year's Lead Teacher project, First Steps Maths and wish Renee all the best in this exciting role!!
We thank everyone who has helped us along the way with our project to make this experience what it has been.
LTLL Reps for St. John's Cobar - Laura Ryan and Benetta Townsend
26.8.10 Our School target branches from FOCUS 6 from the LTLL PD day: Authentic Learning ASSESSMENT for and as learning.
St. John’s School COBAR staff would like to develop an effective, purposeful and authentic assessment process across the school.
- After discussions at our recent staff meeting (25.8.10), it was decided that Assessment is such a broad area and we needed to break down Assessment to a more specific, manageable and achievable target (quality rather than quantity). The staff decided on the following target:
Our Target: Using Assessment data to shape teaching and learning in Mathematics (starting with Number)
It was discussed that once we further refine our existing Assessment practices and develop a St. John's Assessment Framework, we should then be able to apply this Assessment Framework to other Key Learning Areas. This framework will provide the data to shape teaching and learning by tracking student achievement and growth.Please refer to the attached document...
Congrats Laura and Benetta and all at Cobar!!! How exciting your project looks! We are looking forward to hearing and seeing more about your Journey and successes in the future! Jane 26/8/10
- At the end of Term 3 we discussed at a staff meeting what Assessment data was important to be passed on for each student to next years teacher. We decided what data needed to be passed on. We have now created Assessment boxes for each year level with a checklist of required Assessment pieces and a file for each student to be accumulated for Assessment tracking from K-6. This Assessment box will be passed onto the next years teacher. We also sourced a filing cabinent for the release room and have added a file for each student. Each year the information in the boxes will need to be transferred to the filing cabinent (so the current years data is the only information kept in the Assessment boxes by each class teacher). This process will assist in tracking each students progress from K-6.
- In consultation with our Principal and LST we have devised a coding system to use in our programs in order to track when Assessment is taking place and when particular Assessment results are driving our teaching and learning experiences. As a staff, we are trialling these codes in our Number strand of Mathematics when we are programming. Please see attached document for Assessment codes.
- After reading an article at our last staff meeting titled 'Improving the instructional core at Mentone Grammar' written by Mal Cater(Education Today Term 3 2010 p. 26 & 27) we are exploring the possibility of collegial support in terms of classroom visits. It was discussed that class teachers may have the opportunity to view and discuss programs (in terms of the coding system). They may also have the opportunity to observe a collegue teaching a Mathematics lesson and provide feedback on teaching practices and programming with the use of Assessment codes.
This link takes you to a video we found that showed another form of Assessment in Mathematics
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i1sQRmGBapU
- As discussed at our last staff meeting (Wednesday Week 4 Term 4 '10) the next step for our LTLL Target: Using Assessment data to shape teaching and learning in Mathematics (starting with Number) is to begin looking at rubrics for Assessment in Mathematics (Number) to assist in giving grades for reports.
WATCH THIS SPACE for further information!
At our last staff meeting (Wednesday Week 5, Term 4 2010) we looked at information from the ARC website in regards to assessing and reporting as stage learning. We Looked at graded work samples for Number for each stage, and how to compare the same work sample for students in different years but the same stage. We also looked at some Number rubrics from other schools for the end of each grade.
http://arc.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/
LTLL Teachers met with classroom teachers, one on one, on Thursday Wk 5, to reflect on the process of using the assessment codes to shape our teaching and learning. We discussed:
Where is it evident in your program? Do you need assistance?
How has this process assisted in shaping teaching and learning?
Has it had an impact on honing in on teaching skills more specific to student needs? Has it impacted on student growth? How have you measured this? What were the results? Did this data assist you to set future targets?
Wednesday Week 10 Term 4 2010 - Last Staff Meeting, we ...
* Looked at options for a tracking sheet K-6 for each student to be kept in Assessment Boxes
* Dicussed that we would use Assessment codes in ALL of Mathematics during Term 1 (not just Number) and for Writing also
* Discussed the 'Next Step' of keeping parents informed about student progress (school survey pinpointed this as a 'Red Light' for parents).
2011...
- Another 'Red Light' issue has been raised from a school survey. Parents have expressed the need for teachers to keep them informed more often than just at report time. As a staff we have discussed looking at other ways of reporting to parents regarding student progress. We are working on a simple way/format to keep parents informed.
- We also discussed the need for 3-Way Interviews, involving the students in the reporting process. We decided to involve the students in the social 'Meet & Greet' Interviews at the start of Term 1. We came up with the idea to link this opportunity to student targets. The idea is for students to present a target they wish to work on for Term 1.
Watch this space for an update on our 3-Way Interviews!!!
Our 3 WayInterviews were a success! We invited parents and children to our annual Meet and Greet Meetings. The child was able to present an academic target they want to achieve during Term 1 to their parents. Parents had the opportunity to hilight their child's strengths and areas for improvement.
Feedback from parents, students and staff was very positive! We are now evaluating this process and deciding as a staff how to proceed in future with 3-Way Interviews.
MID POINT MEETING - Cluster LTLL Day Thursday 17.3.11
The LTLL Cluster Meeting was a huge success. It was great to catch up with other schools and see what they were doing. There were so many different and exciting LTLL directions presented by other schools in our cluster. It gave us lots to think about! Thank you to everyone who contributed suggestions for improvement on the day :o) ... Here is our Mid - Point Meeting PowerPoint Presentation...
FANTASTIC NEWS ABOUT THE THREE WAY INTERVIEWS - AND THANKS FOR THE FEEDBACK ON THE MID-POINT SESSION. THERE WAS CERTAINLY SOME GREAT SHARING! MICK
13.5.11- As a staff, we have finally decided on a Tracking Sheet to track student results from K-6. The final copy has been photocopied for every student and teachers will be advised of the expectations of their use.
Benetta and Laura have created as Assessment Package for all staff members. It contains information such as the school's Assessment Policy, St John's Assessment Codes and information from ARC Website about A-E reporting. These will be presented at the next staff meeting.More work has been done in refining our process of creating student targets. Performa's have been designed for students to create their targets as well as congratulating them when they have achieved their targets. We have created other ways of encouraging students to work towards their targets such as being presented at assembly, names mentioned in the Newsletter and a big notice on the noticeboard.
In the past couple of weeks we have also...
* Reviewed as a staff our Assessment process (AFL - Assessment FOR Learning and AOL - Assessment OF Learning) to ensure teachers are using their Assessment FOR Learning to DRIVE teaching and learning activities. Assessment OF Learning will be used to report to parents this term.
* Conducted a 'refresher' session about Reporting A-E. We presented to the staff a PowerPoint Presentation about Reporting (courtesy of the CEO) and viewed the ARC website.
Wonderful work Cobar, you really are developing a fabulous plan. We look forward to seeing your plan posted soon. Simone Harding 8th June, 2011
Our 'work in progress' Action Plan for Semester 2 2011.....Hi Cobar..Congratulations on your enthusiastic and informative final presentation this week!The following is the summary of the affirmations and generative questions given to you on the day.
Affirmations
Generative Questions
What are the logistics behind the 3 way interviews?
St John's had an excellent day at our final LTLL presentations. It was fantastic hearing the wonderful ideas presented by the other schools. Well done to everyone and thank you to the schools who we have been able to adopt ideas from.
Below is our final presentation, which also outlines 'Where to Next' ...
Over the past term ...
We have updated all Assessment Boxes and Filing Cabinent for current student Assessment. We are working towards getting Assessment Boxes ready to be passed onto 2012 Class Teachers.
We have met with class teachers to discuss how Assessment is driving teaching and learning. Staff had the opportunity to provide feedback about the Assessment Process.
We are also working towards creating some Maths Assessment Tasks for the Active Expressions to be used in 2012.
Well, this is going to be the last post from us, as the first Lead Teachers of St Johns. It has been a very affirming and positive experience, leading our school on this journey to improve assessment in all aspects. Looking back we have achieved many things and we believe all key steakholders of our school community have benefited in some way during the process. It has shaped our teaching and learning and made for more effective pedagodgy.
We are about to update all the assessment boxes and our new Student Tracking Sheets with end of year assessments and data. So we will be able to determine the success of these little projects in these final weeks and the begining weeks of next year. Attached below is our 'Log Sheet' where all our hard work is documented.
We look forward to next year's Lead Teacher project, First Steps Maths and wish Renee all the best in this exciting role!!
We thank everyone who has helped us along the way with our project to make this experience what it has been.
Signing out
Benetta & Laura